‘State of Jefferson’ Supporters Rally at Capitol

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SACRAMENTO-

Two hundred people in support of the "State of Jefferson" rallied at the Capitol Thursday.

The group held green and yellow flags in support of a 51st state.

Representatives presented three new petitions to withdraw from California from Yuba, Tehama and Glenn counties.

Mark Baird admits creating Jefferson is a big challenge and bold move but he believes splitting California will benefit everyone.

"This is a win for all of California. It is something we have to have to survive and the state needs to redress our grievances," Baird said.

The State of Jefferson would include 20 Northern California counties - from Placer and Mendocino up to the Oregon border.

So far, five counties have filed declarations to secede.

"We're very optimistic about what's going on, because this isn't a Democrat or Republican thing or conservative versus liberal, this is American people saying something is broken and the State of Jefferson is really the only answer for that," supporter Kayla Brown said.

State of Jefferson supporters believe California is too large to govern and that their regions aren't fairly represented in Sacramento.

Assemblyman Brian Dahle's district would be a part of Jefferson.

Dahle says he understands the motivation behind the movement, but knows it will take a lot of work.

"The devil is in the details and if the details are worked out and looked like it was something that, financially, could work and we work all those things, then maybe I can get behind it," Dahle said.

State of Jefferson supporters will be back at the Capitol in February when three more counties are expected to deliver their petitions to separate from California.

The group says they plan to craft legislation once 12 counties have filed their petitions.